The ‘Mobile Van Program’ Promoting Organic Farming: What Is It?

The 'Mobile Van Program' for Promoting Organic Farming: What is it and How Can Farmers Benefit from it?
The 'Mobile Van Program' is an initiative aimed at promoting organic farming. It is part of the 'Natural Farming Prosperous Farmer Scheme' introduced by the Agriculture Department of Himachal Pradesh. Launched in Shimla, this initiative focuses on delivering fresh, organic produce directly to consumers while promoting organic and chemical-free farming practices.
The primary goals of this five-year plan are to reduce farming costs, increase income, and protect human health and the environment. Alongside efforts to expand its reach and create farmer-producer enterprises, more than 89,000 farmers are already registered under this scheme.

The objective of the 'Mobile Van Program' is to encourage consumers to adopt organic farming and environmentally-friendly practices by providing access to fresh, organic products and promoting chemical-free farming techniques.
Organic farming avoids chemical pesticides and fertilizers and relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, and bio-pest control. This approach is not only environmentally sustainable but also promotes healthier produce.
The government's aim is to establish Himachal Pradesh as a 'Natural Farming State' by enrolling all 961,000 farmers in the state into the 'Subhash Palekar Natural Farming' (SPNF) method.
The self-certification system allows farmers practicing organic farming to have easy access to markets, meet national and international standards, and eliminate the need for annual re-certification, making it convenient for farmers.
In summary, the 'Mobile Van Program' is a significant step towards promoting organic farming and sustainable agriculture in Himachal Pradesh. It aims to benefit both farmers and consumers by encouraging environmentally-friendly farming practices and providing access to fresh, organic produce.